Other major donors in the crowd at the gorgeous Prebys Center included Karen and Donald Cohn (she was in a sequin dress by Naeem Khan — “It was the first thing out on the runway at his Globe Guilder show,” she recalled). Kathy Hattox, Erna and Andrew Viterbi, Audrey Geisel (in a long, pale-gray sheath) and Carolyn Yorston-Wellcome and Barden Wellcome.

Darlene and Donald Shiley, longtime benefactors of the Globe, had to miss the opening.

An intense rainstorm threatened the opening — prompting many a change of arrangements, spattering many an arriving guest, causing a no-show or two — but it failed to dampen the celebration.

A lot of women wore black, though — either by choice, or as a defense against the deluge. Among its wearers were actress Marion Ross, Sally Thornton, Brenda Marsh Rebelo, Elene Solomon, Susan Ulevitch, Jordine Von Wantoch and Dianne York.

Wind and rain did, however, knock out power in Point Loma.

Debra Turner said she “had to do her hair by flashlight.”

And Conrad Prebys, man of the hour, said he thought for a while he wouldn’t be able to make it to the dedication of his gift to the Globe.

“The garage door was closed when the power went out, and I didn’t know how to open it ... I decided we were locked in.